The British School Musical

Tonight we had the opportunity to attend our daughter's British school's end-of-the-year musical.

What a fabulous production!

Let me note some curious differences that American school parents might really appreciate.

#1.  Upon arriving at the school we were offered a glass of wine.

#2.  The girls wore simple costumes, mostly from their own wardrobes.

#3.  It was based loosely on the show "Glee", with grade levels sort-of "competing" with one another through their songs, with a story line weaved into the production.

#4.  There were no parents up on stage, no parents perhaps even back stage.

#5.  The set was made up of 3 simple pieces - 2 trees and a banner.

#6.  The music teacher played the accompanying piano and other little tunes, but the show was essentially the girls singing.

#7.  Did I mention yet there was no parent stress here? No hours of costume creation or a huge check written out for the costume?  No parent volunteers greeting at the door or seating you or backstage or in front of the stage directing or planning or organizing or making programs or anything?

part of the neighborhood?

Friday the 24th of June.

It must be official.
We're truly becoming a piece of the neighborhood.

Today I took my 7 year old to the coffee shop on the high street (the main street) and we actually ran into two different groups of people we know. 

In the afternoon, I helped track down my neighbor's dog who bolted away like lightning when the rental agent came to show their townhouse.

Later I went and cheered for my daughter's Sports Day at her British School, at the local track at Regents Park down the road.

Meanwhile, my 12 year old son wandered his way through the London city streets, making his way home on his own from his basketball camp at the school he'll attend this fall.

WOW - could it be?  could it actually be true, are we indeed finding our place in the fabrics of London's neighborhood life?   are we becoming part of this place, this massive metropolis of a city, yet here in our little obscure corner, we're making real connections to local living?  achieving a sort of comfort level, a kind of familiarity which allows community to envelop your sense of belonging?

At what point will we become Londoners?  will we want to?  does it require relinquishment of other identities?  or does it just smoothly spread and weave into our being?

Father's Day in Windsor/Eton

Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world (or in Europe depending on your source).  It is one of the Queen's homes.  Eton is the site of the oldest school in the UK, the prestigious Eton College.

On Father's Day, we ventured for a day trip to Windsor and Eton.  Of course it was Dave's choice.  The train ride was cheap and remarkably quick. 

Entrance to the Windsor Castle

Here is The Royal Standard - the flag that indicates the Queen's presence.  She was staying at Windsor while we visited.  She spends most of her free weekends there and comes for a longer time in April and June.

IS IT THE QUEEN????

Can't help it, gotta have the "photo by the guard", and NO the kids could not make him smile, laugh or even alter his glance!

The long walk, the promenade leading up to the back castle entrance, where the Queen comes and goes.

The Thames divides Windsor and Eton

Eton College

Eton - the oldest school in the UK, founded in 1440 and the place where Princes William and Harry went to school

British FOOD

When Dave's brother came to visit us recently, we set out to eat REAL BRITISH food.  Here's what we found:

Breakfast at The Diner in Camden

Here's what a 6 year old orders for breakfast - Bangers and Mash

I guess this is why they call their breakfast a Full English

DINNER at Porter's in Covent Garden - here's the Game Pie

Fish N Chips

Fisherman's pie

more pies...

Street Fair in Primrose

June 11th Saturday

I love the small town feel that envelops you in the flavorful neighborhoods of London.
 
Stepping out for a delightful Saturday afternoon en famille, we ventured over to the Primrose Hill Summer Fair last weekend.  Street music & dancers (I think some of them forgot to put the rest of their costumes on..?), old-fashioned games such as "knock down the stack of tin cans" and "ring toss" along with Punch and Judy shows, handicrafts, clowns and jugglers, folk dancers....it was a grande olde time.  Funny thing is, for all I know I could have been at the Evansville MN Fourth of July street party, and I wouldn't have known any differently.  I love that about this city!